Brian R. Baker
Reviews By Author
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Red Star Versus Rising Sun, Vol. 1: The Conquest of ManchuriaPublished:
This book provides an explanation of the conflict between Russia (later the Soviet Union) and Imperial Japan over the territory of Manchuria. This conflict was a result of the arrival of the Europeans in Asia in the late 19th Century, and the result of this contact in Japan. The Chinese were more or less dominated by the western Powers, while the Japanese attempted to modernize to the point where they could hold out against Western Imperialism. This was an extremely complicated process, as each nation’s progress was not consistent with their opponents, and also, neither side necessarily had the same objectives. Where one side would want to achieve military victory and control, the other could have been satisfied with some kind of diplomatic settlement. The book deals with the… more |
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Scale Plans: No. 70 Fairey Flycatcher - 1/72, 1/48, 1/32Published:
The Fairey Flycatcher achieved historical significance by being one of the first fighter aircraft designed specifically for operation from Royal Navy ships and aircraft carriers. Developed to replace the Gloster Nightjar, it won out against the Parnall Plover biplane, and first flew in 1922. Only a few Plovers (10) were built, but 196 Flycatchers were finally built between 1923 and 1926, with the type serving with the Home, the Mediterranean, East Indies, and China fleets. It was primarily land and carrier based, although carrier based, a few were operated with a pair of floats, The Flycatcher was very popular with its pilots, and one advanced feature was the wing flaps, when ran the length of both wings, and which significantly shortened the takeoff and landing distances. … more |
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Camouflage and Decals: Focke Wulf FW-190A, Vol. 1Published:
Historical BackgroundThe Focke Wulf FW-190 was produced in very large numbers during World War II, and was used by Luftwaffe and other German allies until the end of the war. Since the aircraft probably exhibited a wider variety of camouflage schemes and markings than any other World War II fighter, it has become a favorite of modelers throughout the world, and over 100 kits have been produced of this aircraft in 1/72 scale alone, not to mention 1/48/ 1/32, and 1/144 scales. This issue only covers the FW-190A-2 through FW-190A-9, and does not include any of the prototypes or the FW-190D-9 or TA-152 series. The BookThis publication presents outstanding color drawings of 20 FW-190 fighters in 1/32 scale, providing side views, top views, and views of the wing… more |
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The Wildcat in World War IIPublished:
BackgroundDuring the last part of the nineteen thirties, the U.S. Navy was in the process of replacing its biplanes with higher performing monoplanes. The Curtiss SBC “Helldiver” dive bomber was being replaced by the Vought Sikorsky SB2U “Vindicator”, and the Martin T4M’s were being replaced by the Douglas TBD-1 “Devastator” monoplanes. Grumman’s last biplane, the F3F-2, was just entering service when the decision was made to equip Navy fighter squadrons with monoplanes. The first monoplane, the Brewster F2A-1, later known as the Buffalo, was entering service when Grumman’s biplane competitor, the F4F-1, was redesigned, becoming the XF4F-2 Wildcat monoplane. The F4F-2 proved to be a much better airplane, and the production model, the F4F-3, was produced in quantity, with the… more |
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Spitfire Ace of Aces, The Album: The Photographs of Johnnie JohnsonPublished:
Historical BackgroundAir Vice-Marshal Johnnie Johnson, CB,CBE, DSO & Two Bars, DFC & Bar, DL, the highest scoring Royal Air Force pilot of World War II, had a diverse and very interesting background, as he was able to infiltrate the ranks of the RAF, which tended to favor the admission of the upper classes. Johnson was very middle class, and achieved his position through his quality as a man, not his position in British society. There have been a number of books written about Johnson’s life and career, but this book takes a different approach, consisting entirely of photos taken of him or of the people he associated with, and sometimes even of the airplanes he flew. These are captioned, giving explanations of what was going on, and who was involved. Johnson comes… more |
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WINGS OF EMPIRE: THE FORGOTTEN WARS OF THE R.A.F., 1919-1938Published:
Historical BackgroundAt the end of World War I, the British Empire had to expand to take over some of the territories in the Middle East and Africa, most of which had been under the control of the Turkish Ottoman Empire. Turkey had sided with the Central Powers, and the British took the regions almost by default. The big question, in both the Middle East and Africa, was how to control these areas economically. The British government assumed that they could control these diverse groups, mostly on a tribal level, using standard cavalry and infantry units operating in a police role, but they discovered that this was much more expensive than they had imagined. The areas in question, some of which are still problems today (Afghanistan, for example), were dominated by small Islamic… more |
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Henschel HS-126 DetailsPublished:
The ProductThis product consists of a small metal photo-etch stamping which includes detail parts for a 1/72 scale model of a Henschel HS-126, along with some resin parts, including a bomb, smoke generator, and a few other components for the cockpit interior. When I requested this item for review, I assumed that it was the new Brengun 1/72 scale model of the HS-126, but it actually turned out to be only the accessory parts, but that’s OK. No problems. Since there are already three 1/72 scale kits of the HS-126, by Airfix, Italeri, and Matchbox, and I had already built all three, I decided to build the Airfix offering, and painted it in Spanish Civil War markings, as I already had several in the usual German Luftwaffe paint schemes. The Airfix ModelThe… more |
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Yakolev UT-3 (3rd Version)Published:
HistoryThe Yakovlev UT-3 was designed as a training aircraft to offer instruction to pilots of multi-engined aircraft, gunners, bombardiers, and radio operators. Construction was mainly of wood, with fabric covering and some steel tubing. Imported French Renault 6Q engines were used on the prototypes, but production models probably had a Voronezh MV-6, a Russian copy of the French powerplant. The prototypes first flew in 1938, and some were equipped with armament, 7.62 mm machine guns and bombs, but production models were unarmed. Production began at two plants, No. 272 at Kazan, and No. 135 at Leningrad. Only a small number, around thirty, had been produced when the authorities decided to use combat aircraft for this type of training, so further production was cancelled.… more |
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Latvian Insignia - 1/72 and 1/48 scalesPublished:
Historical BackgroundLatvia, a small Baltic republic, developed an air force in the twenties, and adopted a striking insignia of a red swastika ( no relation to the German version) on a white circular background. Aircraft operated with this insignia in place up until the outbreak of World War II, Many of their aircraft were imported from Britain, including Hawker Hinds, Bristol Bulldogs, and Gloster Gladiators. In 1940, Latvia was invaded by the Soviet Union, and all surviving Latvian military aircraft were captured by the Russians. Any aircraft that remained were later probably destroyed by the Germans. ProductCroco is a Latvian group that produces resin kits of unusual aircraft, and they produce their own decal sheets. Since there are very few Latvian… more |
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Images of War: US Naval Aviation, 1898-1945 "The Pioneering Years to the Second World War"Published:
BackgroundThis book, part of Pen and Sword’s “Images of War” series, traces the development of naval aviation in the United States from the late 1890’s through the end of World War II. Starting with balloon development, which became a military issue during the American War Between the States, the Navy’s leaders became interested in this field towards the end of the 19th century. It became clear to the founders that the free balloon was of little use to the Navy, and that a mechanical aircraft would be necessary if anything significant was to be achieved. Although the Wright Brothers had flown their airplane by 1903, it was only a few years later that Navy officers began to take interest in the heavier than air airplanes that were being developed throughout the world… more |